What I Did Over My Semester Break
Sheng Lee, FR

On January 1-18, 2004, I traveled to India as part of the study abroad course offered by the Office of International Education. Here’s my story:

After 18 long exhilarating hours we finally arrived in India and what we were going to experience was going to change the way we viewed the way a civilization develops and the diversity among society as to living in order to meet the challenges of everyday “life.” In India, we not only learned an extensive amount of knowledge about India’s culture and each other, but also about ourselves and the simple things we took for granted because for the next two and a half weeks whether we liked it or not we were forced to drop our materialistic ways and live in simplicity. 

For those of you who have seen Indian movies, you have seen attractive creamy skinned actors indulged by singing and dancing, but for those who went on this travel course we can all testify that it only happens in the movies or Bollywood (Bollywood is India’s film). Instead, we saw a country and its people who are rich in culture and diversity, but at the same time struggle in order to survive the every day challenges of life. It is true that every 200 kilometers you go, no matter what direction, you will meet a new ethnic group whose language, food, clothing, religion were different from the next. 

However, there was one thing that didn’t change after every 200 kilometers; poverty. Poverty is life in India and in other third world countries. We saw dark half naked armless children begging on every street of every city we went to. We saw two sticks on the ground with a dirty faded blue tarp on top of it as shelter by the side of the highway for a family. We saw dirt roads covered in trash, but lined with trees that looked like giant lucky bamboos. But at the same time we saw all this, we encountered places as breathtaking as scenes from Lord of the Rings. Palaces that was rich in marble and daedal. Mountains so high up that made me feel like I could just touch the stars. 

Also during our journey, we were chased down by shop owners, beggars, and rickshaw drivers. We stayed in some of the most expensive seven star hotels in India and in tiny cold tents full of spiders and other unknown insects. We were welcomed everywhere with a bright smile and stared at with glittering eyes during our presence. Our tiny Toyota SUVs were even marked with a sign that read “VIP 1,” “VIP 2” and “VIP 3.” We not only went on a very cold safari ride, only to have our faces powdered in dirt, but an elephant and camel ride as well. Not to mention we were invited to have tea with the King of Udapiur in his palace! 

On the last day in Delhi, I know I wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to climb into that plane for another 18 hour plane ride. In the beginning of the journey we may have all been strangers to one another who all went to a foreign country together; but at the end we all left as life long friends and felt as though we were leaving a second home.

Sagoli Skan^ko (Greetings and Peaceful Wishes)
Raeann Skenandore, Adviser

Let me first say it feels good to be back at UWGB! Thank you to all those who participated in the search, screen and interview process for my position. I know how time consuming it can be. Thanks also to those of you who have stopped by or emailed to introduce yourself and make me feel welcome. I look forward to meeting everyone over the course of the semester. 

With winter break over, the new calendar year started, and spring semester in full swing, there is also another significant celebration underway. Generally, six days after the new moon in January is time for Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse from Iroquois-Six Nations) communities to prepare for Midwinter Ceremonies. 

Midwinter ceremonies are four days of humble thanksgiving, reflection on the past year and for the opportunity for renewal of oneself and all of Creation. Many prayers are offered in appreciation of upholding responsibilities and that we are able to see another life cycle. 
Acknowledgements are given to the Creator of all things, titleholders, participants and specific elements of the natural world. Special songs are sung and the people dance in honor of these things. Everyone in attendance has the opportunity to stir wood ashes – a symbolic gesture of renewal. Special medicine drinks are prepared, games are played and everyone shares in specially prepared feast foods. 

There are good feelings of excitement, friendship and encouragement that are shared amongst the people at this time. It is in this spirit that I extend to each of you my very best wishes for peace to body, mind and spirit, and the encouragement to remain focused to successfully achieve your personal and academic goals. 

This semester I am busy working on a number of programming projects that are designed to provide support and encouragement to continuing students, build stronger relationships with UWGB/AIC alumni, and rally support from local native communities to consider UWGB as the school of choice for their membership. In March, we will launch a series of seminars with a unique twist of academic support and community development. In April the annual Powwow is big on the calendar, but we will also host a number of students from Wisconsin tribal communities as a leadership development and recruitment imitative. Be watching for details! Please drop by, call, or email with ideas, suggestions or if you just want to chat.

Workshops Offered by Career Services
(all workshops are held in the Wequiock Room)

Finding the Internship of Your Dreams
Feb. 16, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Creating Dynamic Resumes and Cover Letters
Feb. 23, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Learn to Interview Like a Professional
Feb. 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Choosing a Major
Apr. 7, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

As Graduation Nears, Begin the Search for Employment
Apr. 20, 12:30-2:00 p.m. & Apr. 21, 12:00-1:30 p.m

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